Typographical slug casting machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m i/vme H. ELLIS TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINEFiled Jan. 22, 1938 la l l l I 1 Jul is, 1939..

1939- H. ELLIS TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 2 y 8, 1939. H. ELLIS TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING. MACHINEFiled Jan. 22, 1958 '4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July l8, 1939. H. ELLISTYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1938 4 Shets-SheetPatented July 18 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUGCASTING MACHINE Application January 22, 1938, Serial No. 186,331 InGreat Britain March 9, 1937 15 Claims.

This invention relates to typographical casting machines in which a slugor type bar is cast from a line of hand composed matrices which areconveyed to and from casting position while sup- 5 ported in a carrierto which the appropriate movements are imparted during each castingcycle.

The working of machines of this kind, as heretofore constructed, eithersolely for the use of hand composed matrices or for the use of both handand machine composed matrices, has involved manual operation inconnection with the insertion or removal of the composed line, or inconnection with both insertion and removal thereof. It has beennecessary to carry out such manual operation or operations at a periodbetween successive casting cycles, thus reducing the rate of output ofthe machine and occupying operator's time which might otherwise bedevoted to the work of composition. For instance, in certain knownmachines, each matrix line is manually transferred to the carrier fromthe hand stick in which it has been composed, before the casting cycleis initiated, and is manually removed from the carrier at the completion.of the cycle. In other known machines, the hand stick itself with thecomposed line therein is similarly applied and removed. According toother known arrangements the matrix line is manually transferred fromthe hand stick to a machine organ which serves to convey it towards thecarrier for subsequent transfer thereto, and after the completion of thecasting cycle, it manually removed from another organ of the machine towhich it has been delivered by the carrier.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the loss of timeoccasioned by such manual operations. With this object in view, theinvention consists in a typographical slug casting machine 40 comprisinga device for receiving a line of matrices, casting a slug thereagainst,and thereafter delivering the matrix line therefrom, all such movementsbeing performed in time relation, wherein means are provided forinserting a hand composed line of matrices into the machine and fordelivering that line of matrices to a point adjacent to or within easyreach of the point of insertion. The apparatus may also comprise meanswhereby a composed line may be presented, during a preceding castingcycle, to an organ of the machine by which it is subsequently conveyeddirectly to the carrier. The invention may be conveniently carried outin conjunction with casting machine mechanism of the kind usuallyemployed for dealing with lines of machine composed matrices, and themechanism is preferably arranged to permit of the insertion of thecomposed lines into the machine to be effected independently of thetiming of the casting cycle.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following descriptionof one of its constructional forms, and this description will be morereadily followed by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein-Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent in front elevation the relevant parts of amachine embodying the invention, some parts being in different workingpositions in these views; and

Figures 4 and 5 represent respectively in side sectional elevation andperspective, on an enlarged scale, details of apparatus shown in Figures1 to 3.

In carrying the invention into effect in one convenient manner shown inthe drawings as applied to mechanism of the kind usually employed fordealing with lines of machine composed matrices, the matrix carrier isin the form of a vertically movable transporter or first elevator Iwhich, during each casting cycle, is moved first downwardly from itsnormal line receiving position, to present a line to a slotted mould forcasting, and secondly, upwardly to a line delivery position above itsnormal level and subsequently again downwardly to the normal positionready for the reception of the next line. As usually arranged fordealing with machine composed matrices, the elevator in its linereceiving position is aligned with a so-called transfer slide 2 whichreceives the composed line from another organ of the machine and moveslaterally to introduce the line into the elevator and to initiate thecasting cycle.

For this purpose, the transfer slide is normally held by a catch againstthe action of a spring by which its operative stroke is effected, thepresentation of the line to the slide releases the catch, and thesubsequent movements of the slide away from and back to the linereceiving position are cam-controlled.

In applying the invention to such apparatus, as shown in the drawingsherewith, the machine organs which normally deal with a machine composedline prior to its reception by the transfer slide are dispensed with,and a platform or shelf 3 is provided in such a position in relation tothe transfer slide 2 that the composed line may be introduced into thetransfer slide by positioning a hand stick 4 on the said shelf. With thehand stick so positioned, the release of the transfer slide brings aboutthe transfer of the line from the shelf to the elevator, when theelevator is in the line receiving position. The release of the transferslide may be effected automatically by the positioning of the hand stickon the shelf, but as shown, an independently actuated releasing deviceis provided.

The apparatus shown comprises guides and 6, mounted on the shelf 3,between which the hand stick 1 is placed upon the shelf and pushedinwards by the operator to a bar 7 (Figure 4). The bar I and a bar 8, tothe left of guide 5 together form a channel in alignment with thechannel 5 of the first elevator I which receives the matrix line.

A finger I8 is secured to the transfer slide bar II and projectsdownwards'between the bars I and 8 on the side of the hand stick'remotefrom the first elevator. A releasable latch I2 connects this finger IIIat the top to a fixed portion of the machine.

In order to prevent the hand stick from being forced from the transferchannel when the first elevator I is not in proper position to receiveit,

there is provided (Figure 5) a stop member in the form of a bar I3,carried by, and adapted to slidehorizontally fore and aft in, a block I4secured to the channel 8, the inner end of this slide bar I3 beingadapted to project through a slot into the channel formed betweenmembers "I and'8, and a spring being provided urging the bar "I3inwards, i. e., towards the rear of the machine, in which position itobstructs the channel and prevents passage of a hand stick. A like barI5in'the block I' l'is'adapted to slide horizontally left and right, i.e., atright angles to the bar I3, and a groove cut'in and at 45relatively to the centre line of one of the slide bars I3 and I5 engageswith a tongue or ridge formed on, and at 45 to the'centreline of, theother'of the bars I3 and I 5. By this means it is arranged that movementof thebar I5 from left'to'right (looking at the machine from the front)causes movement of the bar I3from rear towards the front, thus removingthe "stopping projection of the bar I3 from the transfer channel againstthe action of its spring.

A cainlever I6 is pivoted at I! to a fixed part of the machine and restsat its lower end in a fork formed in the left hand end of the slide In ablock I8 secured to the first elevator head is a "square-sectioned rodI9 'slidable fore and aft,and carrying on one side a cam roller 20, andon the other side ac'am roller 31," the roller 31 being adjacent to theforward end of the rod I9'which projects fromthe block I8, while theroller 28 projects through 'a slot in the side of the block I8. When theslide rod I9 is in its rearmost position (which it occupies when thefirst elevator is in'its normal line-receiving position) the rollercontacts with the cam lever I6, holdingit in anti-clockwise displacementon its pivot I1 and thus holding the slide bar I5 displaced to theright, so that the bar I3, as described above, is held withdrawn fromthe transfer channel and a line of matrices or a hand stick can passinto the first elevator.

Upon descent of the first elevator carrying the line, the roller 20releases the lever I6 and the stop bar I3 is moved inwards, to close thetransfer channel, by its spring. A cam 38 secured to the vise cap has aninclined surface in line with the roller 37, and upon engagement of theroller 31 with this surface, as the firstelevator the machine frame.cured to the delivery slide bar, lifts the catch after a casting, thefirst elevator rises the roller 20 passes the lever I6 and does notactuate it. Secured to a fixed part of the machine adjacent to theuppermost or line delivery position assumed by the first elevator head,is a cam 39 having a surface in line with the roller 31 and inclined ina sense opposite to that of the cam 38, so that as the first elevatorreaches its uppermost position, engagement of the roller 31 with thiscam 39 causes rearward movement of the slide bar I9, thus bringing theroller 20 again into line with the lever I6. In these circumstances,when the first elevator again descends to its normal line receivingposition the roller 20 displaces lever I6, withdrawing stop bar I3 andthus opening the transfer channel to allow passage of the next line orhand stick.

AknoblO on the block I 4 has on its shaft an eccentric collar or disc40a adapted to engage, when the knob is turned, in a slot 4| in theforward'end'of the slide bar I3. Such engagement takes place (whendesired) when the bar I3 is in 'its forward position, and serves to holdthe bar I3 out of its operative position to stop thetransfer channel.

Means may be provided in the first elevator head-tosecure a lineofmatrices therein, such as a spring controlled bolt (not shown) in thechannel'of the first elevator, chamfered on the side first engaged bythe transferred hand stick, so that it yields as the hand stick entersthe firstelevator and thereafter springsback behind the hand stick toprevent return movement thereof. An upstanding chamfered projection onthebolt may engage a stud, fixed to the machine frame, when the elevatoris raised to the delivery position, to depress the bolt and thus allowdelivery of the hand stick from theelevator.

When thefirst elevator'reach'es its uppermost or delivery position, thehand stick is removed therefrom by the-delivery slide 2| which isprovidedwith a stop catch 22, slidably attached to A projecting block23, se-

as the slide bar moves from the right to its normal leftmost position,on account of the cam surface shown on the catch,the catch thereafterdropping again beside the block 23 to prevent movement of the deliveryslide, until the first elevator is raised to the delivery position andlifts the catch 20 about its pivot 24.

An angle member 25 attached to the delivery slide bar has an inclinedsurface 26 adapted when the delivery slide moves to the right to engagethe end 21 of a rail 28 which is pivoted at 29 to the walls of thedelivery channel and normally held against a stop 30 in a substantiallyhorizontal position by a spring 3I (Figure 1). This engagement tilts therail 28 which has received or partially received the hand stick andcomes into line with a delivery chute 32 so that the'hand stick entersthis smoothly and after sliding down the stroke under gravitationalforce comes to rest against a buffer 33, ready for removal by hand. Asmall leather-faced buffer is secured to the sidewall above the rail 28to engage'the upper edge of the forward end of a line or hand stick andthus prevent it from overshooting the rail. When the rail 28 pivots, theline is moved out'of contact with this buffer, which does not thereforeimpede further progress down the chute 32.

In operation a hand stick is placed on the shelf 3 between the guides 5and 6, and slid backwards against the bar I, the operator thereupondepressing a button 34 whereby to release the finger l0 and the transferslide, and thus to commence the operation of the machine, the partsbeing moved by cam operation in substantially known manner. The initialpositions of the parts are shown in Figure 1. The transfer slide H,moved by lever 35 carries'the hand stick into the first elevator(provided the elevator is in the correct position and the plunger l3does not therefore prevent this movement) where it is held by thebolt!!! (Figure 2). The first elevator carries the hand stick to themould for casting, and thereafter to the delivery channel, the catch 22being lifted to release the delivery slide, which is moved to the right(carrying the hand stick) by lever 36'. This movement results indelivery of the hand stick to the pivoted rail 28 and the chute 32(Figure 3) as previously described, and the various parts return totheir positions in readiness for the next operation under action oftheir cams.

It will be noted that the final delivery of the hand stick is at a pointadjacent to, or within easy reach of, the point at which the lines areinitially presented, so as to be easily accessible to the operatorsupervising the circulation of the lines.

It is to be understood that while the invention can be mostadvantageously carried out by transferring the hand stick with thecomposed line to and from the elevator, as described, if desired thehand stick may be formed to permit a line of matrices to be removedtherefrom by the transfer slide.

The constructional form of the invention above described is advantageousin permitting the objects of the invention to be attained with the useof a known form of casting mechanism. It will be recognised, however,that the invention is not restricted in this respect, as line-transferdevices may be arranged to co-operate with a line carrier, having anydesired cycle of movements appropriate to the location of thelinereceiving, line-delivering and casting stations provided, andvarious modifications of the form herein described may be introduced asthey become desirable, in order to carry the invention into effect underdifferent conditions and requirements which have to be fulfilled withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, I declare that what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Pat ent is:

l. A typographical slug casting machine comprising means for receiving ahand-composed line of matrices to be inserted therein, means forconveying said line to a slug casting position; means for casting a slugagainst said matrices, and means for thereafter returning said line to astationary support within easy reach of the point of insertion.

2. A typographical slug casting machine comprising means for receiving ahand-composed line of matrices to be inserted therein, means forconveying said line to a slug casting position, means for casting a slugagainst saidmatrices, means for thereafter returning said lines to astationary support within easy reach of the point of insertion, andmeans ensuring cyclic association of said line conveying, slug castingand line returning operations.

3. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 2, whereinsaid means for receiving the line of matrices to be inserted arearranged to allow insertion of the line before completion of the castingcycle.

4. A typographical slug casting machine comprising a shelf upon which ahand-composed line of matrices may be placed within the sphere ofoperation of a transfer slide whereby it is moved into the machineproper, means for casting a slug against said matrices, and a chute bywhich the line is delivered, after the slug casting operation, to astationary support adjacent to said shelf.

5. A typographical slug casting machine comprising means for receiving ahand-composed line of matrices to be inserted therein, means forconveying said line to a slug casting position, a member adaptednormally to receive the line so transferred, means to prevent suchtransfer of the line if the member to receive it is not in properposition, means for casting a slug against said matrices, and means forthereafter returning said line to a point within easy reach of the pointof insertion.

6. A typographical slug casting machine comprising a first elevator, ashelf upon which a hand-composed line of matrices may be placed withinthe sphere of operation of a transfer slide whereby it is moved intosaid first elevator, stop means moved into the path of said line ofmatrices in order to prevent movement of the line into said firstelevator when the latter is moved away from its line receiving position,means for casting a slug against said matrices in the first elevator andmeans whereby after the casting operation the line is delivered to apoint within easy reach of said shelf.

7. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 6 comprisingmeans for releasing said stop and thus allowing transfer of the line,automatically as said first elevator assumes its line receivingposition.

8. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 6, whereinsaid stop means comprise a bar urged towards its line obstructingposition by a spring, a cam roller being provided on said first elevatorwhereby the bar is automatically moved and held out of operation whensaid first elevator assumes its line receiving position.

9. A typographical slug casting machine comprising a first elevator, asupport upon which a hand-composed line of matrices may be placed fortransference into said elevator, means for effecting transfer of saidline from said support into said first elevator, means for moving saidfirst elevator firstly into a position for casting a slug against saidmatrices and thereafter to a position in which said matrices are ejectedfrom said first elevator, means for casting the slug and means forejecting said matrices when said first elevator is in the appropriateposition, means for securing said matrices in said first elevator afterinsertion until the latter reaches the line ejecting position, and meansfor conveying an ejected line to a point within easy reach of saidsupport.

10. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 9 whereinsaid matrix securing means comprise a spring bolt in the first elevator,adapted to be released by an inclined surface provided on a fixed partof the machine, with which a part of said bolt engages as said firstelevator assumes the line ejecting position.

11. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 1 comprisinga first elevator adapted to receive said line and convey it firstly to aslug casting position and thereafter to a delivery position, a deliveryslide for ejecting the line from said first elevator at the latterposition, and means for locking said delivery slide against operationuntil said first elevator is in the line delivery position.

12. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 1 comprisinga first elevator adapted to receive said line and convey it firstly to aslug casting position and thereafter to a delivery position, a deliveryslide for ejecting the line from said first elevator at the latterposition, and a catch adapted normally to engage said line deliveryslide and prevent operation thereof, and to be released from suchengagement by the first elevator as the latter assumes its line deliveryposition.

13. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 4 comprisinga pivoted rail member to ensure smooth delivery of a line of matricesafter the casting operation into said chute.

14. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 4 comprisinga first elevator for carrying said line to the slug casting and linedelivery positions, and a pivoted rail member between said firstelevator, in its line delivery position, and said chute, adapted toreceive the line ejected from said first elevator and to tilt it intoline with the chute.

15. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 4 comprisinga first elevator for carrying said line to the slug casting and linedelivery positions, a delivery slide for ejecting the line from saidfirst elevator in the latter position, and a pivoted rail membernormally in line with said first elevator in its line delivery position,adapted to receive an ejected line, and to be tilted by engagementtherewith of said delivery slide so as to bring the line of matricesinto alignment with said inclined chute.

HERBERT ELLIS.

